Curved glass sheet etching device

ABSTRACT

An etching device is disclosed. The etching device comprises a base; a receiving member mounted on the base, the receiving member defines a receiving hole to receive an etching solution, the receiving member comprises a side surface, the side surface defines at least one spraying hole interconnected with the receiving hole, and at least one spraying hole is adapted to spray the etching solution; and at least one rotating member rotatably mounted on the base, opposite to the side surface of the receiving member.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to an etching device, and particularly, to an etching device used for etching a curved glass sheet.

2. Description of Related Art

In glass manufacturing processes, a glass surface may be etched by an etching device. The etching device may include a plurality of nozzles arranged side by side. A plurality of glass sheets may be placed vertically below the nozzles. When etching the glass sheet, an etching solution may go down along a side surface of the glass sheet with a uniform speed. However, the above-mentioned etching device may be only fit to etch a flat glass sheet. When such an etching device is used for etching a curved glass sheet, a flow speed of the etching solution along a side surface may not be uniform due to an uneven surface of the glass sheet. Thus, a staying time of the etching solution on the side surface may vary, and the glass sheet may be etched unevenly.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, isometric view of an etching device of an embodiment, on which a plurality of curved glass sheets are mounted.

FIG. 2 is a schematic, exploded, isometric view of the etching device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, taken along line III-III.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an etching device 100 is used to etch a plurality of curved glass sheets 200. The etching device 100 comprises a base 10, a receiving member 30, an air compressor 40, and a plurality of rotating members 50. The receiving member 30 is configured for receiving an etching solution, and is connected to the air compressor 40. The etching solution may be jetted out from the receiving member 30 which is controlled by the air compressor 40. The plurality of rotating members 50 are rotatably mounted on the base 10, adjacent to the receiving member 30. The plurality of curved glass sheets 200 are fixed to the rotating member 50. The etching solution may be sprayed onto surfaces of the plurality of curved glass sheets 200.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 10 is configured for mounting the receiving member 30 and the plurality of rotating members 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 10 is substantially plate-like. A first mounting hole 11 and a plurality of second mounting holes 13 are defined in the base 10. The first mounting hole 11 is defined at a center of the base 10. The plurality of second mounting holes 13 are defined around the first mounting hole 11, and are arranged evenly on an imaginary circle which is concentric with the first mounting hole 11.

The receiving member 30 comprises a receiving portion 31 and a cover portion 33. The receiving portion 31 is substantially cylindrical, and is mounted in the first mounting hole 11 accordingly. The receiving portion 31 comprises a first end surface 311 away from the base 10; a second end surface 312 opposite to the first end surface 311, adjacent to the base 10; and a side surface 313 connecting the first end surface 311 and the second end surface 312. A receiving hole 3110 is defined at a center of the first end surface 311, extending along an axial direction of the receiving portion 31. The second end surface 312 is fixed to the base 10. A plurality of spraying holes 3130 are defined on the side surface 313 around the receiving hole 3110, extending along a radial direction of the receiving portion 31. The plurality of spraying holes 3130 are distributed all over the side surface 313. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of spraying holes 3130 are arranged uniformly, forming a layered structure along the axial direction. Each layer of the plurality of spraying holes 3130 is substantially parallel to the first end surface 311. It is to be understood that the plurality of spraying holes 3130 may be arranged unevenly. The cover portion 33 is disposed on the first end surface 311 to cover the receiving portion 31. The cover portion 33 is substantially cylindrical, and defines a communicating hole 330 at a center of the cover portion 33. The communicating hole 330 interconnects with the receiving hole 3110.

The air compressor 40 is connected to the communicating hole 330, such that when the air compressor 40 generates high pressure air, the etching solution can be jetted out from the receiving portion 31.

It is understood that the air compressor 40 may be omitted, and in alternative embodiments, the receiving member 30 may be rotatably placed on the base 10, and may be driven to rotate by a driving member, such that the etching solution can be jetted out by a centrifugal force.

Each of the plurality of rotating members 50 is mounted in one of the plurality of second mounting holes 13. Each of the plurality of rotating members 50 comprises a main body 51, and a rotating shaft 53 connected to the main body 51. The main body 51 is substantially cylindrical, and is placed opposite to each of the plurality of spraying holes 3130 of the receiving member 30. The plurality of curved glass sheets 200 may be mounted on a side surface of the main body 51. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of curved glass sheets 200 are adhered to the side surface of the main body 51 with adhesive. Each rotating shaft 53 passes through one of the plurality of second mounting holes 13, and is then rotatably fixed to the base 10. In one embodiment, the plurality of rotating members 50 may further comprise a plurality of sucking discs placed on the main body 51 to adhere the plurality of curved glass sheets 200. In another embodiment, the plurality of rotating members 50 may further comprise a plurality of latching modules placed on the main body 51 to securely latch the plurality of curved glass sheets 200.

The etching device 100 further comprises a plurality of driving members (not shown) to drive the rotating members 50 to rotate relative to the base 10. In the illustrated embodiment, a quantity of the driving members is the same as that of the plurality of rotating members 50. Each of the plurality of driving members is connected to one of the plurality of rotating members 50. It is to be understood that the quantity of the plurality of driving members may be smaller than that of the plurality of rotating members 50, and in alternative embodiments, one or more gear assemblies connects the plurality of rotating members 50.

During etching process, the plurality of glass sheets 200 are mounted on the side surface of the main body 51, then the plurality of rotating members 50 rotate, and the etching solution is sprayed onto surfaces of the plurality of glass sheets 200. Because the plurality of glass sheets 200 can be rotated with the plurality of rotating members 50, and the etching solution can be sprayed onto the plurality of glass sheets 200 at different angles and different heights, the plurality of glass sheets 200 may be evenly etched with the etching solution, even if the surfaces are uneven.

It can be appreciated that the etching device 100 may be used for etching a flat glass sheet, or with other etching solutions. The etching device 100 may be used for etching objects made of other materials.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. An etching device, comprising: a base; a receiving member mounted on the base, wherein the receiving member defines a receiving hole to receive an etching solution, the receiving member comprises a side surface, the side surface defines at least one spraying hole interconnected with the receiving hole, and at least one spraying hole is adapted to spray the etching solution; and at least one rotating member rotatably mounted on the base, opposite to the side surface of the receiving member.
 2. The etching device of claim 1, wherein the receiving member comprises a receiving portion, the receiving portion comprises a first end surface connected to the side surface and away from the base, the receiving hole is defined on the first end surface, a quantity of the at least one spraying hole is greater than one, and the at least one spraying hole is arranged around the receiving hole.
 3. The etching device of claim 2, wherein the receiving portion is cylindrical, the receiving hole extends along an axial direction of the receiving portion, and the at least one spraying hole extends along a radial direction of the receiving portion.
 4. The etching device of claim 2, wherein the at least one spraying hole is arranged uniformly around the receiving hole.
 5. The etching device of claim 4, wherein the at least one spraying hole is distributed all over the side surface of the receiving member.
 6. The etching device of claim 4, wherein the at least one spraying hole forms a layered structure, and each layer of the at least one spraying hole is parallel to the first end surface of the receiving portion.
 7. The etching device of claim 2, wherein the receiving member further comprises a cover portion connected to the first end surface of the receiving portion, and the cover portion defines a communicating hole connected to the receiving hole.
 8. The etching device of claim 7, further comprising an air compressor connected to the communicating hole.
 9. The etching device of claim 2, wherein a quantity of the at least one rotating member is greater than one, and the at least one rotating member is arranged around the receiving member.
 10. The etching device of claim 1, wherein the receiving member is rotatably mounted on the base.
 11. The etching device of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one rotating member comprises a main body, and a rotating shaft connected to the main body; the base defines at least one mounting hole; the rotating shaft passes through each of the at least one mounting hole.
 12. A curved glass sheet etching device comprising: a base; a receiving member mounted on the base, wherein the receiving member comprises a receiving portion; the receiving portion comprises a first end surface away from the base, and a side surface connected to the first end surface; a receiving hole is defined on the first end surface to receive an etching solution; a plurality of spraying holes are defined on the side surface; the plurality of spaying holes are interconnected with the receiving hole, and are adapted to spray the etching solution; and a plurality of rotating members rotatably mounted on the base, wherein the plurality of rotating members are arranged around the receiving member, and comprise side surfaces opposite to the side surface of the receiving member, the side surfaces of the plurality of rotating members are configured to mount the curved glass sheet.
 13. The curved glass sheet etching device of claim 12, wherein the receiving portion is cylindrical, the receiving hole extends along an axial direction of the receiving portion, and the plurality of spraying holes are arranged along a radial direction of the receiving hole.
 14. The curved glass sheet etching device the of claim 12, wherein the plurality of spraying holes are arranged uniformly.
 15. The etching device for etching the curved glass sheet of claim 14, wherein the spraying holes are distributed in the whole side surface of the receiving portion.
 16. The curved glass sheet etching device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of spraying holes form a layered structure, and each layer of the plurality of spraying holes is parallel to the first end surface of the receiving portion.
 17. The curved glass sheet etching device of claim 12, wherein the receiving member further comprises a cover portion connected to the first end surface of the receiving portion, and the cover portion defines a communicating hole interconnected to the receiving hole.
 18. The curved glass sheet etching device of claim 17, further comprising an air compressor connected to the communicating hole.
 19. The curved glass sheet etching device of claim 12, wherein the receiving member is rotatably mounted on the base.
 20. The curved glass sheet etching device of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of rotating members comprises a main body, and a rotating shaft connected to the main body; the base defines a plurality of mounting holes; the rotating shaft rotatably fixed to the base passes through each of the plurality of mounting holes. 